Color, Care & Maintenance

General Care, Use & Maintenance of Concrete Surfaces & Countertops

Concrete is a natural material comprised mainly of sand, stone, cement, water and fibers. Much like any natural material; such as wood or stone, concrete is a porous material. We have a variety of sealers to choose from to protect against staining and wetting. We have extensive experience with many sealers and in our Concrete Sealer’s Area you can read more about them. Choose your concrete sealer for each surface type; this will help ensure the lasting beauty of your concrete countertop.

Please review and practice the following general care and maintenance on all concrete products:

No Abrasive cleaners.

No Abrasive Sponges.

No Acidic vinegar/fertilizers/soils.

Tape of any kind may ruin the sealer/surface.

No Hot pots/pans.

No Bleach or ammonia based products they degrade sealers prematurely

No Cutting on surface, you will scratch the sealer and dull your knives, however the function of the concrete will not be affected.

Scratches can be buffed out and re sealed.

Clean up immediately after spills.

Do not leave any liquid on the surface as it will stain the surface sealer.

If your concrete is outside i.e. outdoor kitchen/bbq we recommend for best care to cover it when not in use and covered during seasons not in use as you would your bbq.

Not likely but as with marble and granite, concrete corners and edges can chip if struck by a hard object.
Sealing and rounding the inside corners of the mold with silicone will ease the edges and prevent chipping.
Concrete can be patched, patches may or may not blend and can be variable.

*Hairline cracks typically don’t occur, however if they do, the tend to be around sink voids, but these are not structural failures; rather, they are inherent characteristics of the material.

As with many solid surfaces, there is a level of care and maintenance required for the Products. If Customer is not the end user of the Product, Customer acknowledges and agrees that Customer has provided such Instructions to the end user. Such care and maintenance is Customer’s sole responsibility, and the Manufacturer shall not be responsible for (or be required to cover under warranty) any problems that arise due to Customer not following the Instructions. The care and maintenance is end user responsibility. We cannot account for all variables inherent and unexpected. It is a part of why concrete is individual and so unique. All guarantees are for integrity, function and structure of the concrete unsealed. Staining and wetting are part of care and maintenance not the “function” of the concrete. From day one, it is the customer’s responsibility to maintain the concrete piece. This includes but is not limited to observing any changes that are contrary to sealer expectations. For example, epoxy urethanes, or any bathroom/sink sealers should never wet through. If you notice any wetting, please call immediately as the sealer may be compromised. No harm is happening to the concrete function, however, constant wetting may hydrate the concrete at different rates (as concrete cures for many years) causing color changes in the surface, which Customer understands is considered acceptable with concrete as the material. Certain cleaners could cause this or breaking the seal. There are too many variables to speculate as to why, the end user would know best. To minimize any discoloration, remove elements/objects from piece and let areas dry out and schedule us to come and observe and possibly re seal. Charges may apply. Also note, resealing may require sanding on site which will likely change the appearance of the concrete.

LIMITED WARRANTY

CONCEPT will give technical advice and support throughout the lifetime of our products. We stand behind our products to provide a surface that will withstand reasonable usage. Natural variation in color and texture and porosity may occur and are considered inherent and valued qualities of the material. Seller warrants that: (i) all Services shall be provided in a professional and workmanlike manner; and (ii) all Products shall have a limited one (1) year warranty against manufacturing or structural defects, which covers the integrity, function, and structure of the Products. Sealer is not a part of this warranty. Any staining and/or wetting of the Products are part of care and maintenance and not covered by this limited warranty. In addition, because homes and other structures settle, Seller is not responsible for cracking in any joints where the Products are installed. Any alleged breach of the foregoing limited warranty must be promptly reported to Seller. If Seller determines, in its sole reasonable discretion, that any Product does not conform to the warranty stated in this Section, Customer’s sole and exclusive remedy and Seller’s sole and exclusive obligation, at Seller’s option, shall be for Seller to either: (i) replace the nonconforming Product at Seller’s own expense, installation or removal charges may be incurred or (ii) credit Customer the purchase Price for the nonconforming Product. No refunds.

Cheng Concrete Countertop Sealer

CHENG Concrete Sealer is a water-based, non-toxic concrete sealer ideal for concrete countertops, integral sinks, fire places, furniture as well as outdoor projects like fire pits and planters. This superior sealer will protect your surface without creating an artificial finish—and will protect the warm luster and beauty of your concrete surface.

The water-based formulation of CHENG Sealer :
• makes it a food-safe, non-VOC choice for your project
• contains “hybrid” technology, which means it is both a penetrating and topical sealer
• provides superior abrasion protection and stain resistance when used with CHENG Concrete Wax to create a long-lasting, natural finish.

How does it work? Imagine your concrete surface as a sponge. CHENG Sealer is designed to fill that sponge sinking deep into the concrete to protect it from within while also creating a very thin, hard shell that acts as a barrier against chipping and etching from harsh acids and the wear and tear of everyday use.

Everclear VOX Heavy-Duty Gloss Sealer

EVERCLEAR VOX is a water based pure acrylic sealer for concrete with excellent blush resistance and total resistance to yellowing from UV exposure. This sealer imparts an attractive gloss and protection to all concrete surfaces, and is especially suited for decorative concrete. Formulated with a very low VOC content, EVERCLEAR VOX is compliant with all VOC regulations in the United States and Canada and its low odor makes is usable indoors or out.

CONCRETE Color Options

Concrete Colors that are Non-toxic Pigments, Mica Powders and Mediums.

Natural Earth and Ocher Pigments: rich colors including Ochers, Siennas, Umbers and Natural Iron Oxides with a depth of color unmatched by synthetics.Ocher-based Mineral Pigments: 90% Ocher based with 10% Mineral pigments in beautiful colors unique to our quarry.Manufactured Oxide Pigments: manufactured from earth elements with high tinting strength for both traditional and modern uses.Colonial Natural Pigments: from deep in the Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia, our Colonial Natural pigments are all natural with no manmade ingredients.Mayan Pigments: After nearly 15 years of intensive archaeological and laboratory research, the secret of how ancient